Condrieu

Appellation d'origine protégée

The appellation extends over 7 communes and the vineyards thrive on the left bank of the Rhône river, on steep granitic hillsides at the foot of the Mount Pilat. On this terroir, the Viognier grape variety produces a wine of great aromatic intensity with a mineral finale.

After a particularly mild winter, vines reached early maturity.The hot summer in the Northern Rhone Valley kept the vines very healthy, and the mid-harvest rains favoured a ripening without stress.The result is an aromatic profile, fresh and perhaps even more structured than 2015, making it an exceptional, incredibly deep vintage.

Rewards

92 pts Jeb Dunnuck

94-96 pts The Wine Advocate - Robert Parker

Condrieu

Vintage

2016

Grape Varieties:

100% Viognier

Terroir:

The vineyards are located in the commune of Malleval in the southern sector of the appellation. They are at more than 300 m in altitude, with a south/south-eastern exposure. The soils are a combination of migmatite, granite and gneiss conferring exhuberant aromas and strong mineral qualities to the Viognier grapes.

Winemaking:

Manual harvest between September 21st and October 1st 2016. After a short cold-soak, the alcoholic fermentation took place in vats followed by the malolactic fermentation in 275-litre oak Laurus barrels. 17 months elevage on fine lees, with a regular stirring during the first 6 months.